Groups Encourage Virginia Leaders to Expand Access to Health Coverage

As Virginia leaders work to find a state budget compromise that includes a health care coverage access plan, the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association and 30 other organizations representing health care providers yesterday issued a joint statement encouraging and supporting expanded access to health coverage for uninsured residents. “Today, there are too many Virginians who lack reliable access to necessary health services because they are uninsured,” the groups said. “One way to help many of those people, and improve our economy, is to extend coverage to thousands of low-income Virginians who have no other reliable means to receive medical care. While safety net providers, hospital emergency departments, free clinics, community health centers, and local health fairs help meet some of those needs, this is a patchwork approach to a true public health challenge which warrants a more comprehensive solution.”